Description
Information:
Urinary tract infection is an inflammatory urinary disease caused mainly by bacteria from the intestinal tract. The urinary tract consists of the urethra, bladder, ureters and kidneys. Urinary tract infections mostly affect women, as a short urethra favours bacterial colonisation of the urinary tract. On average, 11% of women suffer a urinary tract infection each year. The problem can also affect the male prostate, as an enlarged prostate can prevent the urine from passing properly.
Symptoms can vary considerably depending on whether the infection affects the lower, upper or both tracts of the urinary tract. If the infection affects the lower tract, it may cause a burning sensation when emptying the bladder or frequent urination. The urine may be cloudy in colour and may have an unpleasant odour. If the infection also affects the bladder, it is called cystitis (which usually refers to a mild but uncomfortable inflammation of the bladder). If the infection affects the upper urinary tract, symptoms may be similar, but may be associated with
pain in the lower back, fever, tremors and, in extreme cases, hospitalisation. The course of treatment depends on the exact causes and the circumstances of the disease. Most urinary tract infections are well treated with antibiotics.
How can a urinary tract infection be identified? They mainly use a test strip. By dipping it into the urine, signs of infection can be identified: white blood cells (leukocytes) or nitrite (many bacteria that are not present in the urinary tract in a healthy state convert nitrate into nitrite). If any of these are present, further examination of the urine and the patient is necessary.
Attention:
To perform the test, it is recommended to use the first urine in the morning, as morning urine is the most concentrated. The urine used for the test must not come into contact with toilet water or any cleaning or disinfecting products. For women: the test should not be performed during or within three days of menstruation. The urine used should not be mixed with vaginal fluid, as this can lead to misleading results.
Clinical performance of the test:
The clinical performance of the test was evaluated in a study comparing the product with another product (CE marked). The test showed the following results: Protein sensitivity 91%, nitrite 85%, white blood cell 88%. Specificity in protein 91%, nitrite 99%, white blood cell 95%.
Important:
Always talk to your doctor before making any medical decisions! The test detects protein, nitrite and leukocytes in urine. Protein: the indicator reacts with the protein on the test strip and turns green. Detection limit approx. 15 mg/dl. Nitrite: gram-negative bacteria in the urine convert nitrate from food into nitrite. The nitrite reacts with the indicator substance in the test and a pink tint appears. Detection limit approx. 0.05 mg/dl.
White blood cell: an enzyme (esterase) in granulocytes (a group of white blood cells) causes a chemical reaction that causes the
test indicator turns purple. Other than granulocytes, no other types of white blood cells can be detected by the test. Detection limit 10/μL. The chemical components of the test are considered to be potentially hazardous substances, but do not pose a health risk when used as intended.
Test objective:
Detection of markers of urinary tract inflammation and infection (nitrite, leucocyte, protein).
The importance of the test:
The test should be used if a urinary tract infection is suspected. This is much more common in women.
Typical symptoms are pain, burning sensation during urination, frequent urge to urinate.
Another symptom may be if the urine is cloudy in colour or smells unpleasant. The test includes 3 parameters of the general 10-12 component test strip, which specifically tests for markers of infection, making it easier for the layperson to interpret.
Biographical background:
The test looks for three of the same parameters as a routine laboratory urine test: protein, white blood cell (absent or present in low amounts in normal condition) and nitrate (bacteria convert nitrite in urine). The presence of the first two indicates urinary tract inflammation, while the third is specifically bacterial.
Test performance:
Immunochromatography for antigen detection.
The test detects the presence of the above parameters by chemical/enzymatic colour reaction.
Sensitivity ranges from 85-91%, specificity from 91-99% depending on the 3 parameters.
Preparations
Components of the test: instructions for use, 2 test sticks in a sealed foil package with absorbent material.
Required but not included in the kit: timing device. Sterile, detergent-free container for collecting urine.
Make sure you have a urine collection container before you open the test!
Urine sample collection
Collect fresh urine in the sample container. The urine should fill the urine collection container to a height of at least 3 cm.
Implementing the test
More information
What to do if the test is positive?
Importantly, the test is not only positive if all three substances are detected in the urine. Any positive result could indicate a urinary problem, not just a urinary tract infection. See your doctor soon, who can give you a more accurate diagnosis of the problem. It is a good idea to take this manual with you so that your doctor has a fuller picture of the type of test you have used.
What to do if the test is negative?
Importantly, the test is only considered negative if all three factors of the test are negative. If you still have signs of a urinary tract infection, see your doctor for a more thorough examination.
What to do if the test is negative?
It may be worth repeating the test at any time before its expiry date to check the result. Keep the instruction manual, because you will need it to interpret the test results by comparing them with the pictures in the instructions.
